Example:
Here’s 25mm Minifigs Pict from the 70s (takes me back, that one does): 
Very crude and extremely simple by today’s standards and whatever detail you want him to have will have to be applied by you via brush and/or putty. Very simple and easy to paint if you like him just the way he is – no additional detail – quite a challenge if you want that extra detail.
Here we have the character figure Nouveau from Demented Games : https://www.dementedgames.com/collections/entire-range-of-miniatures/products/nouveau-collectors-edition
HIGHLY detailed, extreme fine lines – just look at all those filigree swirls! – and yes, quite challenging to paint if you want to get him to the standard pictured on the website. You will need a very steady hand and some very fine brushes. However, if you’re ok with a nice gaming standard, you can just apply something like contrast paint and some washes, which will, by their own selves – settle into all those teeny tiny little crevices and will, if you did the smart thing and primed white, create their very own highlights as well, too, also…….
That technique wouldn’t work on the Pict, above, because there are no crevices.
So- which one’s ‘easier’ ?
